The Chicago White Sox second baseman just had the worst weekend of any player in baseball in 2023, in not even two full games.
Rumored to be dealt at last week’s MLB trading deadline, Anderson enters Sunday hitting .244, with a home run and 19 RBIs, in 87 games. It should be the last game he sees for several weeks.
Chicago was expected to contend for the American League Central Division crown last year, but finished an even 81-81, where Cleveland ran away with a 92-70 record, advancing to the second round of the playoffs. Currently the White Sox are sitting 44-68, fourth in the division.
On Friday in Cleveland, Anderson pushed the hand of Guardians’ shortstop Brayan Rocchio off of second base, after the latter slid in headfirst for a double. Rocchio was originally called safe, but White Sox manager Pedro Grifol challenged the play. Rocchio was called out, despite replay clearly showing Anderson pushing the hand off the bag with a motion that was not in the natural arc of making a tag. Cleveland manager Terry Francona was ejected after arguing the call, where third base umpire Malachi Moore appeared to show Francona up, before nonchalantly walking away.
Francona was certainly going to be fined or suspended for a game for publicly criticizing Moore in the postgame interview.
Then came Saturday…
With Chicago leading 5-0, Cleveland’s perennial MVP candidate, third baseman Jose Ramirez hit a sharp line drive down the first base line. Ramirez immediately made a bee line for second, driving in the Guardians’ first run of the night. With his momentum carrying him between Anderson’s legs, Ramirez had his 27th double of the season.
Anderson kept the tag on Ramirez’s back a little longer than the former would have preferred, while still standing over the top of him. Ramirez had to wait for Anderson to get one of his legs away, so he could stand up. In doing so, Ramirez appeared to offer a hand for Anderson to help him up, which Anderson did not. Ramirez immediately pointed a finger at Anderson, and you could see the situation escalate quickly.
Within seconds, Anderson dropped his glove, and put up his hands in a fighting stance. Ramirez followed suit, and we had our first true baseball fight in months. Anderson missed with a right hand while Ramirez was being held by Chicago starting pitcher Michael Kopech, which is as good a look as anyone in that position was ever going to get.
Ramirez countered with a right hook of his own, connecting right on the left cheek of Anderson, dropping him to the dirt below. Ramirez was not even looking at Anderson when he threw the punch, but we have seen enough MMA fights to know when a counterpunch means lights out for the victim.
Chicago outfielder Eloy Jimenez came up limping after tempers cooled, which was not for nearly five full minutes. Anderson had to be led to the dugout twice by teammates, with the second resulting in him being forced back to the locker room. Both Grifol and Francona were ejected, after barking at each other. Cleveland third base coach Mike Sarbaugh was also ejected after taking a run at one of the White Sox players after the Ramirez/Anderson bout. All but Jimenez are expected to receive suspensions, with Anderson and Ramirez likely to be in the double-digit range.
When Rougned Odor clocked Jose Bautista back in 2016, “Joey Bats” only had his sunglasses knocked off. Anderson was put on his ass by the most mild-mannered superstar in baseball. The MLB offices should take into account Anderson’s actions against Rocchio on Friday night, in addition to being verbally warned by the umpires to stop jawing at Cleveland’s Gabriel Arias earlier on in Saturday’s game.
You had WWE’s "Summerslam" event, the Jake Paul/Nick Diaz bout, and AEW’s "Collision" all happening live on Saturday. Yet it was Ramirez who threw the best punch in sports, connecting on the most deserving adversary.
-JC24
-JC24